Luke 9:48
What does Luke 9:48 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 9:48 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 9:48 means
Jesus teaches that whoever receives a little child in his name receives him and the One who sent him, and that the least among you is great. Receiving the child is more than kindness; it symbolizes embracing humility and dependence within the community of faith. To welcome the lowly is to welcome Jesus and God the Father. This instruction elevates humble service to the highest honor: greatness in God’s kingdom is measured by willingness to receive and serve those without status, reflecting God’s care for the vulnerable and redefining honor around receptivity rather than rank.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And said to them, Whoever gives honour to this child in my name, gives honour to me: and whoever gives honour to me, gives honour to him who sent me: for whoever is least among you all, that man is great.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and said to them, `Whoever may receive this child in my name, doth receive me, and whoever may receive me, doth receive Him who sent me, for he who is least among you all--he shall be great.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And said to them: Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me. For he that is the lesser among you all, he is the greater.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and said to them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receives me, and whosoever shall receive me receives him that sent me. For he who is the least among you all, he is great.
Context
This verse follows the presentation of the child (v.47) and provides the interpretive key for Jesus’ action. Luke links hospitality to theological reality: receiving the least is receiving Christ and the Father. This teaching rebukes the earlier ambition (v.46) and lays a principle for community life that precedes a related incident about a man casting out demons in Jesus’ name (vv.49–50), broadening the scope of welcome in ministry.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 7:28
I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
- 1 Peter 5:3
neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.
- Luke 22:30
that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- John 14:21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.
- Proverbs 18:12
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty; And before honorgoethhumility.
- 1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;
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